More about: Chartreuse

From the moment they released 'Three Words' in the middle of 2019, Black Country foursome Chartreuse had us hooked. Since then, they've put out a handful of singles and two EP's - one a resplendent instrumental work. All of it had us mesmerised.

Today, their next Extended Play Keep Checking Up On Me is laid on the world. It too is an exercise in restrained, breathtaking songwriting. We asked the band to lead us through the cathedrals of each song...

'Tall Grass'

'Tall Grass' is one of the fastest-forming songs we've ever written. Perry started playing the chords and Mike immediately started writing the lyrics, and within about an hour the track was basically done. We added a few extra bits like the thermin sound and reversed glitchy vocals and recorded a demo of it, which actually ended up being the final recorded version on the EP.

'Enemy's Belly'

'Enemy's Belly' started off with the bass. It took quite a while to get the track where we wanted it, we put all the sections into the computer, organised them and then learnt it. All that was left to add were lyrics: we tried loads of different ideas which didn't quite work so in the end Mike looked through some of his books and found a poem he'd written which fit perfectly, it was like it'd always been there.

'Keep Checking Up On Me'

'Keep Checking Up On Me' is a really old one and the title track of the whole EP. It's taken many forms over the years and i didn't necessarily think much of it when I was writing it, the words just came out. It's only now I look back on it and at my younger self and realise what I was trying to say.

'Blue State'

'Blue State' was written in one afternoon, Hattie then bought it to the rest of the band, we played it together and worked out a few extra chords to change the vibe. We then recorded it, added a few more extra chords on midi, Hattie then went away and learnt them - and it was done.

'Hope You're Not Holy'

'Hope You're Not Holy' started off as a guitar and bass piece Perry and Mike just jammed on for ages. It was just something made from messing around. The older the song got the more sections we added until it became what it is now.

Keep Checking Up On Me is out now. Buy it here. 

More about: Chartreuse